How to Determine the Needs Of the Community Around the Church

1.      Determine the demographic makeup of your neighborhood (age, education, social and cultural makeup), and what you need to do to reach them. Are you in a city, countryside…?

2.      What do you think God placed your church in this neighborhood to do? (Most church growth people say to move your church to your people, but this is not Biblical, unless there are compelling reasons. The church is to be where God called it to be, to reach the people in its vicinity. If the neighborhood has changed and people are commuting, then plant another church to reach them before you move out. Ideally, it is better to stay and minister. Most church moves have been a disaster to the neighborhood from which they moved, because rarely does another successful church move in!)

3.      Why would people in your neighborhood seek to be involved in your church?

4.      When you came to the church, how did you feel? What needs where met for you? Would you come as a visitor, and become involved if you were not already a part of this church? Why, or why not?

5.      What are the needs in your community? Try to list 20, including daycare, loneliness, etc.

6.      Rate the importance of each of those needs, keeping in mind Biblical priorities over personal ones!

7.      If these ideas were implemented, how would the church look, and how would it be benefited?

8.      What would happen if these ideas were not implemented?

9.      Brainstorm what needs are evident and how you can meet them! Determine the type of programs that can meet those needs.

10. How can your leadership and church direct others in order to bring them deeper in the heart of God to worship and glorify Him?

How much time was spent in prayer?

© 1986, 1988, 1998, completely revised 2002 Richard J. Krejcir Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.com